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By Julia Kukiewicz Staff Writer
Friday, 7 November 2008
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Money News Roundup
If you only do one thing with your money this week...
If all this talk of luxury is making you jealous then you should compare credit cards that offer travel services.
Try the British Airways Premium Plus credit card for benefits including flight and accident insurance and access to the VIP lounge in airports.
For even more high class rewards including a concierge service compare the MBNA Rewards American Express credit card.
Previous Money News Roundups
See our other recent Money News Roundups and other related news stories:
Credit cards that incle travel insurance
While Travel Accident insurance is offered with just about every credit card, only a handful of credit cards offer complete travel insurance. Make sure you know the difference and discover the best way to compare credit cards offering travel insurances.
Money News Roundup (31 Oct 08)
A glance back at this week's personal finance news, including why you should compare credit cards if you have a bad credit score or poor credit history.
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THE best of the week’s money news including savings and credit card advice, as well as why you should compare credit cards offering travel services.
Bond. High interest Bond.
IF you’ve been thinking about putting your cash into a fixed-rate savings account now is the time to actually do it.
The shock 1.5% fall in the Bank of England base rate yesterday might be a shot in the arm for most financial services but it will mean savings rates are bound to drop too.
There are plenty of great deals for fixed-rate savings accounts in UK banks with lots of choice between access options so don’t be scared to switch and remember that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme will cover up to £50,000 of your savings.
 Compare savings accounts
Out in the Cold in Iceland
SOME of the best savings deals are in foreign banks but they’re unlikely to inspire confidence as Iceland’s financial crisis deepens.
The UK government is demanding $5 billion - roughly half of Iceland’s GDP - to compensate British savers with Landsbanki.
This, coupled with the controversial decision to temporarily put the bank onto a list of terrorist organizations in order to freeze their assets, has resulted in a lot of angry Icelanders.
To make matters worse, other European countries are refusing to support aid, including an IMF loan, until the problem is resolved.
Since Darling promised in the commons yesterday that £800m would be put aside to fully compensate UK consumers that resolution could be some time coming.
In the mean time, hug your nearest Icelander.
UK proudly shows Europe how to do energy price rises
SPEAKING of the cold… well, we all will be soon.
According to figures released this week, energy prices in the UK have increased twice as fast as those in the rest of Europe.
Prices rose 29.7% in the UK in the past year compared with just 12% in Germany and around 14% in France.
Spokesgroups for the energy industry have blamed Britain’s dependence on world markets for the disparity but consumer groups remain unimpressed especially since the way companies set prices is bound to hit poorer customers first.
“The freedom to cut prices…now seems to be the freedom to raise prices with impunity,” Ed Mayo of Consumer Focus said.
Diamonds turn out to be Everybody’s Best Friends
A credit card inlaid with a real 0.02-carat diamond and inlaid with gold was launched this week.
The card – aimed, unsurprisingly, at recession-proof multi-millionaires (why is it that these rich people spawn so many neologisms?) – will include a round-the-clock card ‘manager’.
We cannot yet confirm whether the Argos card we reported on last week is due to be encrusted with Elizabeth Duke diamantes!
And Finally, if you only do one thing this week...
And finally, if all this talk of luxury is making you jealous then if you only do one thing this week you should compare credit cards that offer travel services.
If you travel regularly and want to take advantage of free travel accident insurance and added security, wherever you are, then these credit cards suit you.
Try the British Airways Premium Plus credit card for benefits including flight and accident insurance and access to the VIP lounge in airports.
For even more high class rewards including a concierge service compare the MBNA Rewards American Express credit card.
Compare credit cards for use abroad
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